Vol. 495 No. 4
72 Mr. Timmins asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount of funding spent by his Department on upgrading of accommodation and facilities, excluding security construction measures, at Spike Island; when this location was taken over from the Department of Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20177/98]
My Department took over the Fort Mitchel, Spike Island, complex from the Department of Defence on 29 March 1985. Early development at the prison after the initial take over was carried out by trades staff of the Prison Service under the professional direction of the Office of Public Works. Materials and supplies were provided by the governor in charge of works. Prisoners would have assisted trades staff in the early refurbishment projects. Records of expenditure in the early years are not readily available and it would take a considerable amount of time and resources to co-ordinate the required information.
In recent years a number of major projects have been carried out at Spike Island, for example, refurbishment of education unit, workshops, staff mess, staff quarters, gymnasium, fresh water supply, public lighting, upgrading of office accommodation, upgrading of pier and the re-surfacing of the roadway from the pier to the prison. The total capital expenditure incurred in relation to these projects since 1994 is as follows: 1994, £495,173.45; 1995, £256,170.42; 1996, £834,529.55; 1997, £472,556.98; 1998, £326,384.71.
